Eviction Bans During Pandemic Led to Decreased Child Maltreatment Rates

Housing insecurity is documented as one of several factors that can increase risk of child maltreatment. Eviction moratoriums, or bans on evictions, put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic helped to lessen the stress load on families and thus lowered the rates of child maltreatment, according to a study, “State-Based Eviction Moratoria and Child Maltreatment during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” The study, published in the May 2025 Pediatrics (published online April 8), tracked the impact of the bans by analyzing reports to Child Protective Services. Researchers tracked Child Protective Services report rates and compared counties that had moratoriums and those which didn’t. Those counties that had eviction moratoriums saw more than a 16% reduction in child physical abuse rates, a more than 21% reduction in sexual abuse rates, and a more than 12% reduction in rates of child neglect. Authors state their findings can be used to support secure housing policy to address childhood maltreatment in combination with other programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, and Medicaid expansion. 

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.